What am I allowed.

[Guest]

Hello peoples.

On Sunday (3 days ago) I decided to do my CBT. So on Monday morning I phoned a local centre to enquire about what it all involved. He chatted me through it and I asked when could he fit me into a course. He replied. "We have a cancellation for tomorrow, come if you can get the time off work at such short notice." ............. So I did.!

I have never ever ridden a motorbike before in my life (I am 49) But ride a pushbike into work in the summer if the weather is good and leave the car at home. I chose to do it on a geared bike and once I got the hang of the clutch all was fine. ( still need clutch practice though. ) I have passed my CBT. Now I need to learn how to ride a motorbike.!!!!

On a separate note :- Having now done my CBT I am of the strong opinion that EVERYONE who wants to drive a car on the road should also have to take the CBT. Even if they never intend to ride a bike. I have been driving over 30 years and yesterday my eyes were opened to a bikers world of vulnerability and blind spots etc. It was a good education and I feel/hope I will be a better car driver because of it.

Now to my question.

I have an old style paper licence. Not the new 2 part photo one. First passed my test in 78/79 (I forget which) This was reissued in 1990 when I moved address. On it it states provision for A, G+H. Now I remember all those years ago when I first passed my car test that I was allowed to jump straight onto a 250 should I have wished. I also know that this has been rescinded and the CBT introduced and having to be passed before I can ride ANYTHING unless its a 50cc moped.

But.! ........ 'Someone' (yeahh, yeahh, yeahh) Has told me today that because of how long I have had my car licence that now I have passed my CBT I can ride a 125cc WITHOUT L plates. Is this correct.?

Cheers all, Nick.

[Reaper]

I did exactly the same as you Nick,i`m 48 and did my cbt five or six weeks ago.

But my license is the newer,two part license.I think you need to update your license because you need the card part as well as the paper work.The card will have you picture on it which itself has to be updated every ten years at around £20-£25.

I may be wrong but i would have thought that your old license would be redundant and obsolete but not too sure about this.

And i fully agree with you regarding that EVERYONE should do the cbt regardless whether they ride a bike or not.

[Bogof]

But.! ........ 'Someone' (yeahh, yeahh, yeahh) Has told me today that because of how long I have had my car licence that now I have passed my CBT I can ride a 125cc WITHOUT L plates. Is this correct.?

 

'Someone' is wrong - but I suspect you already know that.

The CBT certificate "validates" the provisional entitlement on your licence. The ONLY way to legally get rid of the L plates is to pass the A group test.

[keith565]

i only passed my full test last month and had the old paper licence, passed in 85. all you have to do is pass your test then get a form from the local post office to fill in and send it off with a photo . signed if you have the old style passport, unsigned if it is the new digital. no charge. (the pass form you get from the test centre has all the info on)no need to do anything with your licence yet (as far as i remember)

[argentum40]

you can use ur old paper license when going for your test but you need to take a passport with you as additional proof... after you pass your test the test centre wont be able to send away your license for upgrading though and you will have to do that yourself with the necessary form from the postie or you maybe able to download one

[Remy]

I passed my car driving test in 1976 but regardless of what license you have, you only have provisional license for a bike - as Bogof says the CBT enables you to ride a 125 with L plates, you have to pass the full test (Mod 1 & 2) to get rid of them!

And yes riding a bike DOES bring it home how much more aware you have to be on the roads - and how many car drivers AREN'T . Makes you a better driver though!